Glulam Timber, Hardwood Glulam, Glued Laminated Beams

Perth Timber Co stocks the largest range and sizes of Merbau Glulam Beams in Western Australia. We recognised the place this timber specie could play in our market several years ago and it is now a major part of our business. Merbau (Kwilla) is exceptionally durable, it has a class 1 rating above ground which is as good as it gets, and is naturally Termite resistant.

Where it excels however is its low shrinkage factors, 1.5% radial and only 2.5% tangential, this allows the carpenter to be very precise while using it in construction, not having to allow for excessive movement as you would using other timbers like Jarrah (7.5% tangential) or Kapur (6% tangential).

Merbau is widely specified for BAL 19 Fire rated areas also and is one of the very few timbers that can be used in these districts.

Most importantly it is strong, it carries an SD3 rating which is stronger than Jarrah and other Western Australian Hardwoods.

Laminated beams are also made up of small lengths and sizes of timber which traditionally were discarded and burnt, Value adding and using the resource to the max has to be good.

Perth Glulam Types

Laminated Timber
Glulam Beams
Hardwood Glulam (GL18)
Pine Glulam (GL17)
Unilam
Smartlam
Glued Beams
Magna Glulam
Prime Lam
Lam Beams
Laminated Merbau Beams
Glulam Timber
plus more…

Perth Glulam Sizes

32mm x 70 and 90mm
35mm x 140, 190, 240 and 290 mm
42mm x 35, 42, 70, 90, 120, 140, 190, 240 and 290mm
65mm x 190, 240, 290 and 330 (mm)
80mm x 240, 290 and 330 (mm)

Perth Glulam FAQ – What is Glulam?

Glulam is Glued Laminated Timber, it comprises of a number of layers of timber bonded together with a moisture resistant adhesive or glue. Multiple smaller pieces are glued together to make one large strong beam. The timber used in Glulam Beams is carefully selected from production and graded according to specification. It is then trimmed to the desired size and kiln dried for the most efficient and optimal bonding operation. The glue is then cured by a cold press system at a controlled temperature. The dry beams are then put through a Four Sided Planner and machined to a desired size and finish.

Glulam beams optimize the structural components of smaller pieces of timber to create the strength and versatility of larger beams.

Glulam is used across a wide range of industries but is mostly used in building construction and as furniture. Applications include Pergola Beams and Rafters, Roof Trusses or Exposed Beams, Lintels, Rafters, Columns, Exterior Hand Rails and Balustrades, Framing, Kitchen Benchtops, Bar Tops, Stairs, Cabinet Doors and Seats and Coffee Tables.

Perth Glulam FAQ – What is the F grade system?

An F-grade is a name for the grouping of the timber. The F-grade system gives a key to characteristic design strengths for graded structural timber without having to determine different properties for each of the thousands of timbers milled for structural purposes worldwide. The F-grades are a series of categories into which different grades of different species can be placed. Once a species has been commercialised, its basic engineering properties can be determined on the basis of a few tests on small clear specimens of that species. The results will determine which series of F-grades will suit that species. The actual properties associated with the F-grades can be obtained from the Timber Structures Code.

Perth Glulam FAQ – What is the GL grade system?

Glulam products are engineered wood products, made in accordance with AS/NZS 1328.

AS/NZS 1328 defines methods for grading glulam products into GL grades and products complying with them have been included in Section 7 of AS 1720.1. These grades are performance targets which are independent of the species, milling procedure and manufacturing process and are based on a ‘standard’ beam depth of 300 mm. Design procedure using GL grade properties is similar in principle to that for solid timber.

Any producer of glulam products can manufacture to meet a specified GL grade, with the onus of meeting the performance requirement (characteristic properties) resting with the producer. Glulam must be produced in accordance with AS/NZS 1328 and GL grades can be established and/or verified using in-grade testing or calculations from the properties of the laminates.

More Information

To read about Timber Complaince: Requirements for compliance to Australian Timber Preservation Standards AS 1604

Perth Glulam Area’s Of Service

Canning Vale, Armadale, Balcatta, Bassendean, Bayswater, Forrestdale, Fremantle, Herdsman, High Wycombe, Kwinana, Malaga, Osborne Park, Rockingham, Welshpool, Lansdale, Wanneroo, Wangara, Joondalup, Clarkson, Midland, Airport, O’Connor, Willetton, Cannington, Maddington, Carlisle, Belmont, Guildford, Hazelmere, Forrestfield, Bibra Lake, Cockburn, Jandakot